Page 18 of Effing Eli

“Take me to your place. I need a release like you wouldn’t believe.”

Wait, what? I looked into her warm, whiskey-colored eyes. “But you just said we weren’t getting back together.”

“And I meant it. But I need to be fucked. Do you have a problem doing the honors?”

“No. But I want more.”

“This is all you’re getting. Take it or leave it. No emotions. Just fucking.”

Goddamn, she was stubborn as hell. I loved it. She knew I did, but she couldn’t seriously believe she could have sex with me and not feel anything. That wasn’t Autumn’s way. Maybe she’d changed, but I doubted it.

Well, I wasn’t a fool—aside from losing my wife. “You know I’ll always take care of you.” I kissed her sweet lips again.

“I know. That’s why I’m asking.”

“Let’s go.” I took her hand and entwined our fingers. Autumn was throwing me off-kilter. And I wasn’t sure what to make of her sudden change toward me.

We made our way back, weaving between tables as curious eyes were on us. Neither of us paid any attention to the nosy-ass onlookers. We were both desperate to get out of the building.

Autumn retrieved her small purse and whispered in Davina’s ear. Will winked as if he knew what was happening, but he didn’t. Hell, I didn’t even know what was happening. Autumn wanted sex, only sex. I should feel exploited or angry, but I didn’t.

I’d wear her down, and when I did, she would be mine. Mine forever and always. Picket fence and two point five kids, the whole shebang.

“I’m ready,” she said, tucking her arm in mine. This all felt so familiar. Natural. But my stomach was tight. Even though I was confident I would get her back, there was a speck of fear I wouldn’t. I hated to think she might reject me tomorrow.

“We’re leaving,” I told the table. By their expressions, they already knew that. “Have a good evening.” I nodded and led my woman out of the banquet room.

“No emotions, Eli.” She squeezed my bicep. I didn’t respond. “I mean it. This is just a one-night stand.”

Too fucking late for that, Boo.I was about to make her feel all kinds of emotions, most importantly, love.

6

Eli

THE SEXUAL TENSION between Autumn and me had always been explosive. Divorce and three years apart hadn’t changed that little fact. Anticipation of what was to come had me on edge and my cock excruciatingly hard. I’d never been so fucking hard before. And that was saying something.

Autumn was so goddamn beautiful and sexy. She never tried to be; it just came naturally for her. However, I didn’t recall her ever turning me hard as granite. Fucking hell, did I hurt.

We hadn’t spoken in my car. Nor had I let go of her hand once. I feared if I released it, I’d lose her again. Paranoid much? Of course, and I wasn’t too cocky to admit it.

After the valet took my car, we entered the hotel hand in hand. Our heels clicked on the marble floors and echoed in the vaulted lobby. Glances were shot our way from both men and women.

We were a striking couple, if I said so myself. Dressed to the nines in our evening wear, we radiated class and prestige from head to toe. In Manhattan, we’d been the perfect power couple. I’d loved our life and hadn’t seen a reason for it all to change.

I’d been a stupid, blind fuck.

Autumn had needed more. She’d wanted our lives to slow down so we could start a family, and I’d put her off. Outright refusing to have a baby.

I slipped my card key in and out of the slot. The green light flashed, and I pushed open the door. Entering my suite first, while holding the door with the toe of my shoe, I jerked Autumn in.

She gasped and her eyes flashed with excitement. I twirled her and had her against the door the second it shut.

And I pounced on her.

Kissing the shit out of her addictive mouth. Rubbing my cock against her pelvis so she’d feel how badly I wanted her.

I wanted to tell her how much I missed her and never stopped loving her. That I wouldneverstop loving her. I wanted to promise to never hurt her again and I would make all her dreams come true. Mostly, I wanted to tell her for the umpteenth time how sorry I was for everything.

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